Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous disorder, to include PTSD is denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support his claim due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressor.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating and denied his claims for increased compensation, total disability based on individual unemployability, and special monthly compensation. The appeal was dismissed as there were no service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence submitted by the veteran. The issue is now before the RO for further development and consideration.

The veteran's claim for prior VA authorization to pay for gender alteration surgery was denied because VA is prohibited by law from providing such services.

The veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, arthritis, and ulcer were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his active duty service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss, which is already at its maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent, does not warrant a higher rating as he is not totally deaf in his nonservice-connected right ear.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his service exposure to acoustic trauma, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ear hearing loss and otitis media have been denied as there is no evidence of exceptional or unusual disability that would warrant an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an ear disability other than hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury or other injury sustained during service, other than hearing loss and tinnitus was granted. The right knee laceration is currently rated as non-compensably disabling, and the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10%. No effective date was provided.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted it, finding that his pre-existing hearing disability was aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss and a 10 percent evaluation for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not meet the criteria for these evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral otitis media with left post-operative cholesteatoma is referred to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria, and thus his claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied his claim of service connection for cirrhosis of the liver. The May 1998 rating decision is final as to both issues.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to September 14, 1999 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a hearing loss with otitis media and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as a nervous disorder), finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus remains denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for ulcer disease, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), kidney stone, hearing loss, eye disorder, and headache disorder were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the current schedular evaluation criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's attempts to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and left ear disability, finding no new and material evidence presented.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.